Newcastle Municipality officially launched its campaign to aggressively combat the spread of COVID – 19 in Newcastle on Tuesday, April 7.
Joining forces with the Amajuba District Municipality, the Department of Health, the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, as well the Department of Social Development, the Newcastle Municipality set out to educate the community on how to proactively prevent the spread of the virus.
During the campaign, shoppers were given information packs, soaps, sanitizers and taught how to effectively wash and sanitize their hands.
The program extensively covered areas located near the various shopping centres in Madadeni.
Furthermore, Newcastle Mayor Cllr. Dr Ntuthuko Mahlaba used the occasion to respond to medical-related concerns from members of the public.
Being a doctor by profession, the mayor held a mini workshop to outline the grave potential dangers of not practising proper hygiene. Especially during this point of time.
The Deputy Mayor, Cllr. Rueben Molelekoa, used the opportunity to interact with owners of small businesses.
During this time, he shared insights on how to protect themselves, as well as their customers during the lockdown period.
Molelekoa also spent time with the elderly who had come to collect their social grants. He urged them to practice social distancing and thoroughly cleanse their hands. This is as they are at a higher risk of contracting the virus.
Amajuba District Municipality Speaker of Council Phumzile Mngcina and Newcastle Municipality Speaker of Council Samke Yende were also part of the program.
The municipality also launched its mass disinfection program at various taxi ranks around Newcastle.
The program will be extended to shopping malls, streets, clinics and police stations. The aim of this exercise is to prevent the virus from spreading faster. Residents are urged to give the disinfection teams space to conduct their duties.
During this period, various roads will be closed for a few hours, especially at night.
The COVID-19 awareness campaign was also extensively covered large parts of Fairleigh today, April 8, before being implemented in other areas.
According to the Newcastle Municipality’s Communications Department claims eight people have been reported to have contracted COVID-19 in the Amajuba District.
Residents are still urged to stay indoors and practice social distancing when doing shopping.
